These experiments examined the role of the benzodiazepine (BZ)-GABA receptor complex in modulating ethanol consumption in rats. Lever presses were reinforced with concurrently available, isocaloric solutions: 10% ethanol-10% sucrose and 24% sucrose. Both reinforcers were available on independent, variable-interval 5-s schedules of reinforcement. In baseline sessions, rats earned approximately 110 sucrose reinforcers and 131 ethanol-sucrose reinforcers, equivalent to about 2 g ethanol per kilogram of body weight. Before experimental sessions, rats received injections of Ro 15-4513, Ro 15-1788, and Ro 15-4513 in combination with Ro 15-4513, chlordiazepoxide, picrotoxin, baclofen, and muscimol. Responding for the ethanol solution was significantly and selectively reduced by the BZ inverse agonist Ro 15-4513, and this effect was blocked by administration of the BZ antagonist Ro 15-1788. Conversely, responding for the ethanol solution increased following a low dose of the BZ agonist chlordiazepoxide. A low dose of baclofen significantly decreased responding for sucrose and increased consumption of ethanol. Picrotoxin and muscimol selectively reduced responding for the ethanol solution. These results are discussed in terms of the relationship between the BZ-GABA receptor complex and ethanol consumption.